Those days are long gone, and now we have our “smart” phones to keep us entertained. Is that progress? Maybe not, but life goes on.

Just a quick lowdown on yesterday’s events so I can get back to today’s business. We took a jeepney to Subic Town, and for the first time in a month, my ATM card actually worked. Hopefully, the issue with my bank thinking every transaction is fraudulent, has been resolved. We’ll see what happens next week. With my wallet replenished, we set off for a little walkabout.

For our Thirstday on the town, we started things off at Red Bar. Cliff gave me access to the music player and told me to be the DJ. And so I played the music my way (yeah, that was one of the songs I featured). Then it was on to Wet Spot for another hour of fun. Once again, after 8 p.m., people started filling the seats. I’m going to strive to expand my window of hours to enjoy the vibes that come later at night. We’ll see how that works out for me.

We did our nightcap at Cyclone and enjoyed spending time with our waitress friend Sheryl. Our seats afforded us nice views of the pool table, and it was good to watch the games. One of the regulars there has a deal he makes: he plays each of the waitresses one game of 8-ball. If he wins, they get nothing. If they beat him, they are rewarded with a bottle of Red Horse, the biggest-commission lady drink (170 pesos). We watched five games, and he lost three of them, even though he was a pretty decent player. It was entertaining for us as spectators, but by 9:30, I was out of gas, so we made our way back home.

One thing that might help me expand my hours would be to head into town later. I can only push that back an hour or so because I don’t want to walk the streets in the dark. We shall see.

From the June 2022 LTG archives, I share my disappointment at realizing that my bar “friends” aren’t truly friends at all. It’s not me they like; it’s the lady-drink commissions. Duh. Well, I learned to deal with it, and I’ll still spring for drinks now and then, but more as a reward for good service. Swan is all the companionship I require.

Today’s YouTube video shares the perspective that Filipinos are their own worst critics. I’m not sure that’s truly the case, but he makes a valid point: with so many OFWs (overseas Filipino workers, the nation’s largest export), Filipinos can’t help but be exposed to how different things are here compared with other places in the world. Anyway, I just wish the locals would step up and take action to improve their living standards, starting with the litter problem.

Now for your daily dose of humor:

Had enough? Me too! Sees y’all here again tomorrow!